CANYON, Texas - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith dropped a pitcher's duel at No. 12 West Texas A&M Friday evening, falling 3-1 to the Buffaloes at Wilder Park.

The Lions (5-8, 4-6 LSC) trailed 3-0 and had just two hits entering the eighth inning, but received a leadoff double from junior right fielder Hunter Church. Church then stole third and scored the Lions' lone run of the game on an RBI single to left center by senior catcher Dylan Hurt.

Junior second baseman Morgan Crenshaw singled to continue the inning, but the Lions left runners on first and second to end the inning. Church had two of the Lions' five hits on the evening.

UAFS had an opportunity to strike in the top of the first when sophomore centerfielder Cash Balentine singled to lead off the game. However, after a sacrifice bunt, he was stranded at second.

The Buffs (13-3, 10-2 LSC) took advantage of five Lion errors, scoring single tallies in three different innings.

On the mound, starter Logan Grant tossed three innings before the game was delayed an hour and a half due to lightning. Grant allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits with three walks and a strikeout.

Righty Lukas Petross took over after the delay, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings. Cooper Van Kooten then pitched the final 3.2 frames, allowing two hits and one unearned run. Van Kooten struck out three.

Game two was originally scheduled to follow, but was pushed back to Saturday due to fog. The teams are tentatively scheduled to play a doubleheader Saturday starting at 4 p.m.